Our Responsibilities

Our primary responsibilities are to:

• Ensure that Direct Care Workers meet the state’s competency requirements
• Review Direct Care Workers’ competency at least annually and more often, if indicated
• Document face-to-face interviews with all Direct Care Workers and independent contractors
• Provide ongoing, competent and appropriate supervision of Direct Care Workers
• Carry bonding for Agency staff
• Carry general liability, professional liability and other insurances as necessary
• Meet the standards of Worker’s Compensation
• Conduct criminal background checks on all staff; and maintain documentation confirming these clearances have been done
• Ensure home care service delivery standards are met
• Ensure federal, state, county & municipal legalities are researched and applied
• Adhere to labor regulations
• Make deductions for social security, Medicare and other taxes
• Conduct needs assessments with our clients’ and their loved ones’ input
• Develop Care Plans with our clients’ and their loved ones’ input
• Consult with relative professionals regarding the Care Plan (as required)
• Be part of or coordinate a health care team to provide for the client’s needs, as indicated
• Provide clients with written documentation of
  • The services that will be provided
  • Names of the Direct Care Workers assigned to deliver service
  • Hours when services will be provided
  • Fees for services and total costs
• Maintain the client's confidentiality, privacy and dignity
• Maintain professionalism and a code of ethics
• Avoid inflicting its personal values and standards onto clients
• Be alert for and report signs of elder abuse
• Obtain immunizations when required unless such an act is contrary to personal beliefs and/or medical conditions
• Ensure Direct Care Workers and Independent Contractors, exposed to clients, undergo screening tests to ensure they do not have an infectious disease such as Tuberculosis and/or Hepatitis
• Be aware of the cost portion that other parties (e.g., Medicare & Medicaid) will be responsible for, when clients receive third party financial assistance; and, know what charges they will not cover
• When requested, ensure clients have access to all service invoices pertaining to their service, regardless of whether the bills are paid out-of-pocket or by another party
• Provide clients with the Department of Health’s telephone number for registering complaints
• Ensure that staff do not assume Power of Attorney or Guardianship over any client, who is receiving services from the Agency
• Ensure that clients do not endorse checks over to the Agency
• Establish and monitor appropriate professional boundaries
• Abide by our own policies, procedures and bet practices